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Tyres Vanish on the N3: Truck Hijacked in Mooi River During Early Hours

Published

2 months ago

August 8, 2025

Chiraag

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Another blow to Gauteng’s logistics chain as a tyre shipment vanishes into thin air

In the quiet hours of Thursday morning, a truck driver hauling tyres towards Johannesburg found himself at the centre of yet another brazen logistics hijacking on South Africa’s notorious N3 corridor. The ambush unfolded in Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, a hotspot long associated with truck-related crimes.

According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the truck had been towing two trailers when it was intercepted by three armed men travelling in a white bakkie. Prem Balram, spokesperson for RUSA, confirmed that the suspects acted swiftly, detaching both trailers and hitching them onto another vehicle.

While one container was empty, the larger 12-metre trailer was filled with tyres, en route to Johannesburg. That trailer, along with its valuable cargo, has not been seen since.

The hijackers released the driver and left him with his truck hours later. Fortunately, he was unharmed, though shaken by the ordeal.

A Familiar Pattern Along the N3

Hijackings like this are not new to Mooi River. The town lies along the N3, one of South Africa’s busiest freight routes, connecting Durban’s port to inland economic hubs like Johannesburg. It’s also become a soft target for criminal syndicates looking to intercept high-value goods in transit.

Over the years, transport companies have reported frequent attacks in this stretch, especially during the early hours when visibility is low and law enforcement presence is scarce.

Local logistics operators have repeatedly raised concerns about truck security between KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, citing weak patrols and organised crime.

Social Reaction and the Bigger Picture

Public frustration continues to mount as freight crime affects both the economy and road safety. Social media users expressed anger over the latest incident, questioning how so many trucks are targeted without swift intervention or recovery.

In July alone, more than 12 000 suspects were arrested in various KZN crime operations, yet hijackings persist. The tyre shipment hijacking adds to the growing pressure on local authorities to prioritise commercial vehicle protection, particularly along high-risk transit routes.

Industry insiders say tyre theft isn’t random. Tyres fetch a high resale value in South Africa, especially when acquired in bulk. Black-market resale is easy, and without serial numbers or tight tracking systems, shipments can disappear without a trace.

What Happens Next?

As investigations continue, RUSA has urged anyone with information to come forward. In the meantime, transport companies are likely to ramp up private security measures. But the fear remains: how many more trucks need to disappear before the system catches up with the syndicates?

For now, one more trailer of tyres has vanished. Another driver goes home with nothing but trauma. And Joburg waits for a shipment that may never arrive.